Cats and Dogs

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”*

I have already said how much I enjoy children, in a previous post. Today I want to share how much I like animals!!

In our travels we haven't seen that many animals -in general- or pets -specifically. It may sound soft, but I miss my cat. She is an odd little thing, with strange habits, but she is warm and funny and cute! There is something really nice about coming home to find a pet waiting for you. The way she sits at the window, and comes for a cuddle when I should be doing something else... if I said too much more this post would be only about my cat! have no fear, I have more to say... 

I am currently staying with friends who have both a cat and a dog. I am over the moon! I have played catch with the dog, and cat-and-mouse with the cat!

Many will argue over whether a cat or a dog is a better pet. I cannot decide. They both have merits and disadvantages! This is not the place nor the reason for my post. I simply want to say, animals should have a place in daily life.

Noah, in the Old Testament, was given the task of protecting and caring for all kinds of animals from the impending (man made?) natural disaster...

"Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive."**

Not only are we called to be responsible and take charge of every living thing***, I think we can also take delight in them.

"The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby."****

Cats play, dogs play, people play. We can take pleasure from caring for animals, but also from sharing in their company. Enjoying the individual personalities of each cat, dog, rabbit, fish?, guinea pig, mouse, budgie, horse... or other pet, that we have the privilege to take care of! 

Furthermore, from animals we can learn things. Some say that the dependence of dogs to their masters shows the kind of dependence one should have towards God. I personally envy the patience and apparent rest cats enjoy, sure that they will be fed without the need to work for (or please) their master, similar to the trust we should show in God's provision for our lives!

From both animals I cannot help but remember how much relationships are a core to what is meaningful in life!

My first quote, about even dogs getting crumbs off the masters table, is a lesson for me -and many many others- that God does care, and will provide, even if we don't seem to be the 'first choice' of people for God's Kingdom!

When I wonder if or why me, I think about that verse and reflect on the many blessings and gifts I do have, given to me, even if I haven't asked or don't deserve them. Much like most pets, who don't deserve our love and attention, but we love them just because they are themselves... despite sitting in the wrong seat, or pooing in the wrong place! ;)

I cannot imagine my life without animals in it!

*Matthew 15:27

**Genesis 6:20

***Genesis 1:28

****Job 40:20

Dirty socks

'And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart."'*

I have never thought too much about this statement by Jesus to his disciples as He sent them out to tell the good news of a new kingdom. But now that I have been living out of the same backpack for over a month... I am missing a few creature comforts. Including a choice of shoes, and a few other choices for jumpers! I am getting good at packing though! And somehow I fit a little more in each time. This is a challenge and my bag is really heavy now! But I cannot imagine not having the few thins I do have not with me!!!
It is true, I have no staff or walking stick. But I do have my phone (which I probably depend on just as much!!)
And I only have one backpack and a small hand bag for my 3 months of travels! I'm surprised how long and often I wear the same socks (until they smell and have holes in them!!) but that's all part of the experience!!!  :)
But I have enjoyed staying with people, meeting locals; friends and family. Eating good food, seeing some locally known places and learning about local culture.
I have been humbled by the generosity of people, and their hospitality.
They have given me and my friend a roof over our heads, warm food in our bellies, good conversation, advice and directions for exploring the town, entertainment!
Many of these contacts have been part of the wider church, and we have experienced that no matter how far from home we are, there is always a brother or sister in Christ willing to welcome us in!

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God"**

I am really enjoying meeting and getting to know these siblings that are not related by blood but something stronger, a relationship with God!
I am also excited by the vastness of generosity of all people to strangers... Ok there are limits, but generally (short term) visitors are welcomed!
I hope that I will be as generous with people... No matter how smelly their socks :p
It has made me think more deeply about Jesus' statement that...

"whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."***

Thank you to those who are welcoming me into their home :) and I encourage us all to think about how welcoming, generous and hospitable we are to foreigners and strangers...

*Luke 9:3-4
**Ephesians 2:19
***Matthew 10:40

Winter Wear

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."*

My favourite season in winter. There are a few reasons for this. One, the cool weather justifies eating lots of warm food and staying indoors with a good book!! Two, you can wear lots of interesting layers and clothes!

My theory (and probably a few other like minded people) is that one can always put another layer on, but one can only take so many layers off!!! I am glad that I am not in Australia at the moment. They are having a particularly hot summer. The dilemma I am thankful to avoid is; when do comfort and modesty clash? And which one should and/or does win out?

Comfort, on a hot summer day (~40 degree Celsius), is sitting in the shade beside a pool or the beach, preferably with a cool drink or ice cream. The more  clothes one wears in such a situation, the more uncomfortable one feels!

In such situations, modesty is abandoned, I believe. Then again, some may say that my definition of modesty is what is faulty... Not societies. Before you decide either way, please hear me out and think about it for a few days.

Modesty, defined by Dictionary.com, is the freedom from vanity, and a regard for decency of behaviour, speech and dress. To be modest is to have a moderate estimate of one's importance.** I have two things I would like to point out.  

One, a regard for decent behaviour. As a woman, I feel this especially keenly. I like to dress well, and I like to be admired for how I dress. But I also don't like the idea of it consuming my life. There is a passage in the Bible which talks about modesty and has been challenging my ideas on how to dress and view myself (especially as a woman)...

"...dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."***

I would like to devote energy and time into doing good deeds over worrying about what I am wearing.

I feel a lot of pressure from society to adorn myself, have elaborate hairstyles, wear expensive jewellry and clothes... or wear certain clothes to match the latest fashion, in swimwear or skinny jeans, in heels or make up. Is it wrong to dress differently than the way other people do? Why does it feel so wrong not to conform? Yet, is there a problem with the ideals that the media and advertising and fashion propagate for how to dress? What are they leading towards, what are they suggesting about who women are, and how much we are worth?

And second, a healthy understanding of your self worth. It is hard to withstand the pressure to impress with how we dress if we have a low self esteem and low self worth. For me, I know I need to work on my self worth. When I get down with my appearance I take comfort in remembering that I have a Creator and Designer for a God. Who formed me in my mothers womb.**** Who has a plan for me to prosper me, give me a hope and a future.***** And I am His handiwork... There is a reason why I am the way I am the way I am. A reason why I am my height, with my skin tone, and my hair colour, my body shape, etc. I just don't know or understand it right now.

I hope that knowing how precious I am in His sight, not only the inside -my good deeds and worship-, but also the outside -my decency and propriety- will impact how I dress. And hopefully I won't feel too out of place when I do dress with modesty. Because I don't think it should be something to be ashamed of! I guess it is really hard because of the social pressure to conform, and societies ideal of beautify: "less clothes the better"! I want to dress with modesty no matter the season. It's just easier in winter.

*Ephesians 2:10
**Dictionary.com 'Modesty' and 'Modest'
***1 timothy 2:9-10
****Psalm 139:13
*****Jeremiah 29:11

time zone

When God created the sun, moon and stars I'm sure He had it all figured out how each day, month and year would perfectly function. My problem is, I wonder if He thought about the problem of having people in different time zones whom one wants to stay in contact with! Having friends and family around the world during the Christmas and New Year period has been lovely, but tiring! With early morning skype calls and late night conversations (for those on the other side of the world) and then all through the day with people in the same time zone!

Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for the opportunity and blessing it is to have people all over the world.

It has made me think about a few things. The idea is captured in a little quote I read in 2012...

"Tis always morning somewhere in the world." by Richard Henry Horne (1803-1884)

Morning is a great time to count ones blessings.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."*

God is both faithful and merciful. I have reflected on both these characteristics this Christmas. When I reflect on the tragedy of death cutting a mother's life short. And God's loving comfort and support in such a time. When I reflect on all the suffering that people have endured this past year... it is easy to fall into despair. But Christmas reminded me that God is merciful. He sent Jesus into the world. God becoming man. God with us! so that He can feel our pain, and understand it. But more than that, Jesus came to bring the solution to suffering and death altogether. Doesn't mean that death will never happen again on this earth, but it's sting is not as strong when there is hope of eternal life!

More than a year ago now I saw a man on the streets of Sydney with a sign that said; 'Christ, hope to the nations'. That is another thing I have been thinking of this Christmas and New Year. That not only was Jesus good news to those who were already chosen by God -the Isrealites- but  He also come so that every nation and people might have the chance to accept His love. It's not a message that is only relevant in one part of the world, but every! And I guess for me, the celebration of Christmas around the world reminds me of that fact.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."**

Patience. is a virute, I wish I had more of. but, it is easier when you know that the waiting has an end. There will be an end, a solution, an answer.... Sometimes, during these days of festivity, I have had to wait for people to call. Or for the right time to open presents. Or the appropriate time to set off ones own fireworks! It can be frustrating being on the other side of the world, and not knowing, or being able to be somewhere. I have been learning patience (through the many chances I have had when it was needed).

But it is not only during Christmas and New Year that I wait. I also wait expectantly every day (or at least I should) for the day when the pain and suffering, inequality and greed, war and corruption of this world will be no more. That too requires patience :)

I hope that your year will be one in which you learn many things. And take the time to reflect back on days, weeks, and even years worth of experiences to see where life is heading. What have you learnt... patience? faithfulness? mercy? humility? how to listen well? and what will you learn? Can you be intentional about what you learn?

ok, enough rhetorical questions for one day! :)

*Lamentations 3:22-23

**Psalm 40:1-3a